Concept:Bond angles depend on molecular geometry and lone pair repulsion.
Explanation:First, find the geometry and bond angles for each molecule.
XeF2 is linear, with an
F−Xe−F angle of
180∘.
BF3 is trigonal planar, with an
F−B−F angle of
120∘.
NH3 is trigonal pyramidal, with an
H−N−H angle of about
107.5∘ due to one lone pair.
PF3 is also trigonal pyramidal, but the
F−P−F angle is smaller, around
98∘, because phosphorus is larger and lone pair repulsion is more pronounced.
Arranging in decreasing order of bond angles:
180∘>120∘>107.5∘>98∘.
Therefore, the order is
XeF2>BF3>NH3>PF3.
Answer:Option B:
XeF2>BF3>NH3>PF3